Harvester-reel.



lPadtented Oct. 7, |902.

W. MILLER.

HARVESTER REEL.

(Appcation led Jan. 20, 1902.5

(No Model.)

Wwf/ww? "Unirse SrL/tras l PATENT '@rricn.

VARREN ll/llLllER, OF MURPHYSBORO, lLLlNOlS.

l-lARVESTER-REEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,878, dated October7, 1902.

Application filed January 20, 1902. Serial No. 90,450. (No model.)

To KLM zultont it may concer/ts Be it known that LWARREN MILLER, a enizen of the United States, residing at Murphysboro, in the count-y ofJackson, State of lllinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Harvester-Reels, of which the following is aspecification, reference oeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to harvester-reels, and particularly to animproved construction of endless carrier adapted to perform thefunctions of an ordinary Wheel form of reel.

The invention has forits object to provide an improved construction ofthe endless carrier whereby the bearing-rolls therefor are retainedunder the proper tension to secure the driving of the blades and paddlescarried thereby.

A further object of the invention is to so locate this carrier as toobtain the most desirable feeding action onto the carrier-belt of theharvester, involving the disposition of a large driving-roll at thefront of the reel-carrier, so as to permit the paddles to approach morecloselyto the harvester-apron at the cutter edge thereof and togradually recede therefrom.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter set forth, and the novel features thereof defined by theappended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective showing the application ofthe invention to the harvesting-machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsection through the reel-carrier on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, and Fig. 3is a similar section through one of the reels for supporting thecarrier.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the severalfigures of the drawings.

The invention is adapted for application to any form of harvester orsimilar machine, but is herein shown in relation to a self-bindingharvester (indicated at A) and provided with a carrier-apron A', havingat one side thereof a series of cutters A2 and at the opposite side astop-board A3. At the edges of the carrier-apron A' grain-gatherers A4are provided, and a supporting-standard AD extends upward above theapron A' to form a support for the reel-frame B, which may be drivenfrom any suitable source of powerfor instance, by means of an ordinarydriving connection, (shown at A6,) having the driving-rod A7, splined toa gear A8, carried by the reel and adapted to slide on said rod in theadjustment of the reel-carrier and to mesh With-a gear B' thereon.

The frame B is principally composed of the tubular or cylindrical hollowsections B2, provided at one end with a fixed journal-box B3, adapted toreceive the main driving-roll B, over which the belt C or equivalentmeans of the reel-carrier passes. of the bars B2 a slidable bearing D ismounted within the tubular portion by means of a shank D' fitting saidportion, while this slidable bearing is normally forced away from thefixed bearing by means of a coiled spring D?, disposed'within the hollowtubular side bars B2 and serving to retain the belt under an even andequal tension at all times. The carrier means C is provided with aseries of blades or paddles C', extending from the surface thereof andadapted in their movement to carry the grain from the cutters A2 ontothe apron A'. Vithin the sliding journalbox D a roller B5 is suitablymounted and is of less diameter than the driving-roll B", so that thecarrier-belt C travels in an inclined direction to the horizontal, asrepresented by the dotted line in Fig. 2, which is in the relativeposition of the apron-carrier of the harvesting-machine.

At the opposite endv For the purpose of supporting and adjusting thereel in relation to the carrier-apron A the side bars B2 are providedWith standards Bb', pivotally connected at their upper ends to the endE' of an adjusting-lever E, which ordinarily. is pivotally supportedupon the standard A5, as shown at E2, While it may be held in itsadjusted position by means of the ordinary latch E3. In the adjustmentof the reel the same may be raised or lowered relative to the surface ofthe carrier-apron A', and during such adjustment the gearing As willtravel upon the rod A7, to which it is splined, and continue to applythe necessary power for driving the reel-belt. For the purpose of thussupporting the gear AS a journalboXin g A9 is secured to the side bar B2of the reel.

IOO

The operation of the invention will be clearly understood from theforegoing description, and it Will be noted that this form 0f reel willobviate the danger of breakage from contact with trees and other objectsfrequently experienced With the large Wheelreels, While it performs allof the functions of such reels and runs much lighter. It also oers lessresistance to the air in the movement of the machine, and owing to itslow position relative to the carrier-apron could be used in orchards, soas to pass beneath the limbs of the trees. It is also capable of beingconstructed of strong material, so as to withstand all usual strains inorder to efiiciently perform its functions. It will be noted that theuse of the enlarged bearing at the front of the machine gives thenecessary power for driving the belt or carrier, While it also causesthe blades or paddles to move more slowly in making the turn with thecarrier,Which is important, as they should closely approach thecarrier-apron at the front end and gradually recede therefrom in theirrearward movement, as indicated by the dotted horizontal line in Fig. 2.

It Will be obvious that changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and configuration in the several parts Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a harvester-reel,acarrier-apron,asup porting-frame suspended in ahorizontal plane above said apron and having at its outer end abearing-roll and at its inner end a smaller bearing-roll, a carriermovable over said rolls transversely of the apron, paddles carried bysaid carrier, and means for adjusting said carrier toward and from saidapron, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, With a harvester carrier-apron, of a harvester-reelcomprising opposite tubular frames suspended above said apron eachhaving a fixed bearing at one end and open at the opposite end, slidablebearings having shanks adapted to fit Within the open ends of saidframes, independent coiled springs disposed Within each of said framesand bearing upon said Shanks, bearing-rollers mounted in said bearingsand connecting the ends of the frame, a carrier mounted upon saidrollers, to travel at an angle to said apron and paddles carried by saidcarrier; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WARREN MILLER.

Vitnesses:

ISAAC DEAsoN, JOSEPH KIMMEL.

